Phelps Gets Emotional After Victory

Michael Phelps has a personality. At the Olympics, he was an automaton and, of course, the bong controversy pushed him into a shell. But when he heard rival Milorad Cavic offer to get him one of those newfangled suits so he wouldn't "have any excuses" if he lost in his Speedo, Phelps got hot. He became the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, 49.82 seconds, to beat Cavic (49.95) at the world championships in Rome Saturday. Then he hopped on the lane rope, pumped his fists, glared at his opponent and tugged at his swimsuit. Phelps' coach said he never saw Phelps more emotional. One word of advice from your friends at OTF: find a new way to mellow out.

•So just when the Yankees thought they were good enough to play wallflower at the trade deadline, they go into Chicago and lose three in a row to the White Sox, while the Red Sox are winning three in a row. The baseball gods humble you in a hurry.

• Vikings quarterback Tavaris Jackson injured his left knee in practice Saturday, so Minnesota, left at the altar by Brett Favre, now has Sage Rosenfels atop its depth chart — and probably Michael Vick's cellphone number close by.

• The Giants signed their first-round pick, receiver Hakeem Nicks, to a five-year, $12.5 million deal in time for training camp. This is significant because in their quest to replace Plaxico Burress the Giants needed to get Nicks in camp on time to have a chance of getting him ready to be a starter this season. They need a receiver big enough for Eli Manning to find and hit in the red zone and, well, Yao Ming is out for the year. (Hey, it was either Yao Ming or Wacky Wavy Inflatable Arm Waving Tube Man, and someone is sure to remember I've already used the latter.)

• Ben Roethlisberger arrived at Steelers camp and, no surprise, waved aside questions about his legal problems in Lake Tahoe. He's a football player. He's there to play football ... for his football team ... on the football field ... and he has to get ready for the football season. "I don't know what you're talking about," Big Ben said. "It's football."

• Tiger Woods is on fire. Following up his second-round 63, he shot a 65 to take a one-stroke lead in the Buick Open. Can we declare him officially back, or do we need one more day?

• After the second autopsy performed on Arturo Gatti, examiners would not rule out homicide, conflicting with the conclusion of Brazilian authorities, who ruled it a suicide. So that saga goes on. Terrible for his family.

• Ravens receiver Derrick Mason did change his mind, unretired and reported to camp, leaving Mike Mussina, Michael Strahan and Gracie Allen as the only people who retired once and meant it. Ask grandma who Gracie Allen was, kids. We go for the older crowd on Sundays.